Airport Dedication File, 1945 | University of Illinois Archives

Dedicated on October 26, 1945, "the University of Illinois Airport was conceived and has been developed to implement a comprehensive program of education and research in aeronautics and to provide commercial and private landing facilities for the promotion of air transportation and national defense."¹ On October 18, 1961, it was renamed the University of Illinois-Willard Airport in honor of Arthur Willard who was president of the University (1934-36) and instrumental in the airport's establishment.²

Airport Plant and Services, a department of the Aviation Institute, has the responsiblity of maintaining and planning the physical plant which serves the Research, Academics, Flight Services and Aircraft Maintenance departments of the Institute.³

1. "Dedication of the University of Illinois Airport" Brochure, October 26, 1945, Airport Dedication File, RS 20/3/0/5, p. 8.

2. Board of Trustees Transactions, 51st Report, October 18, 1961, p. 1157.

3. "Welcome" Brochure, c. 1970, Bulletins Files, RS 20/1/0/1, p. 6.